Peter woke late that Wednesday morning.

Tuesday, the day after the situation in the office, the paper released the story about Spidey's mournful loss. The article was suspiciously not offensive, despite the fact that it was written by Jameson. That was until Peter turned the page to read a continuation of the article. Filled with a series of "what-ifs" and unsupported accusations that it was a scheme for attention or perhaps the arachnid had possibly killed his soulmate himself. 

Jameson sure had some balls to date and publish that article. Soulmates were a touchy subject for that large population of the world, New York very much included. To no one's surprise, people had swarmed the Daily Bugle's main office building in defense of New York's vigilante. Many were yelling in Spider-Man's defense or just generally protesting the absurdness of the topic. And that was just what was going on in the street, there were no words to describe what was going on with social media. To put things simply, Jameson was single-handedly to blame for the cancel culture that had swarmed his business. Spider-Man on the other hand was a boosted tag on all media. Supposedly, he hadn't personally checked yet. 

Due to the incident, Peter Parker, along with the rest of the Bugle staff, had the day off. And Peter had nothing to worry about. No class or work today. Hell, after yesterday, Spider-Man might as well take a day off too. And that left only his meeting with Deadpool to worry about and that was still hours, ahead of him leaving plenty of time to nap or scroll. When he got to his dingy apartment he decided nap time sounded more appealing.

Peter sighed tiredly when he walked to his bed, plopping down face-first into his pillow. Sunlight soothingly warmed the light skin on his back and arms as it shone into his apartment. The only thing that could have possibly made the moment more calming was the idea of a massage. But Peter would have to live without that until he won the lottery and had change to waste on such luxuries.

He started to drift off into a dreamy, fluid state. The kind where you're awake but tired enough that you might as well have as much reasoning skill as a  drunken sailor. He dreamed about Deadpool. Remembering how strong the man felt, how he could feel those strong muscles hidden under the suit and armor as Peter hugged the man close, all of that while being able to hear a strong heartbeat. The fact that there was a living person attached to the end of the clock he'd been watching all his life.

Could Peter love the man platonic or otherwise? Did he want to love this man? Would Deadpool love him back if he did? What about the moral clash between he and a gun-loving mercenary? 

How would it feel having Deadpool for himself? To be able to have someone, to wake up holding the other close to him. To cuddle up to on the far too frequent cold nights.

So many questions and Peter would only be able to find out the answers in one way...

And he was terrified.

__________

Wade

(Don't blow this up. This could be our only chance. If it doesn't work out, we will push him away.)

"I don't even have any explosives. How am I supposed to blow it up?" Wade countered with attitude.

[Not literally]

"I know that! I'm not that stupid!" Deadpool snapped at Yellow in annoyance. Not even the boxes in his head could tell when he was joking. You'd think when your existence is at the source of his thoughts, arguable a part of his thoughts, that they would have clarity in the realm of his meaning.

(I see red and blue!)

"Just because it's red and blue doesn't mean it's Spidey," Deadpool said criticizing his box as he looked over. Honestly, it was a plastic bag in the wind that it had gotten all excited about.

Deadpool was sitting at the edge of the building where he was told to meet Spider-Man when he felt a small thump somewhere behind him. He turned to look at who had landed, having no doubt about who it was. He felt a jolt of surprise at the lack of spandex when he looked at the figure. In wake of the man's suit, there was civilian cloth. Looking for red and blue wouldn't have been helpful today.

Spidey was wearing Converse with slim jeans, a T-shirt with a grey sweatshirt along with his mask which was hesitantly taken off and put into a backpack that hung over the young man's shoulders.

"Didn't feel like patrolling today." The arachnid explained while glancing down at his own clothes before moving towards him. He settled down to sit a normal distance away from the other Wade, by no means cuddling up.

Deadpool looked at the younger with a sort of curiosity. The first thing he noticed was the guy's hair. He wanted to know what it felt like. It looked glossy and soft, making his fingers slightly twitch with the impulse to touch, but he restrained. Wade didn't want to ruin this. Treating his soulmate like a cat wouldn't help his case.

Hazel eyes glanced at him, challenging Wade's staring, so he looked away.

"Um, do you like food?" the spider asked. He seemed shy.

[What kind of question is that?]

(He's nervous just like us, you moron.)

Spidey seemed to pick up on his odd question and tried to fix it.

"I... I mean, everyone likes food. Guess I haven't really met anyone who hasn't. Even..." The arachnid abruptly stopped his rambling before starting again, "You want to go eat? I haven't eaten yet and I'm starving."

(He is totally cute af. He not only looks like a little cutie, but he even has cute little ramblings when he's nervous.)

[Too bad we will probably never see him after tonight.]

"Sure. Whatever you want," Deadpool answered with a smile, just happy the other wasn't already leaving.

(When we say anything, we really mean anything. Dates, kisses, cuddles, cock) White said with a smirk.

[Or killing ourselves, getting out of your life, being your own personal punching bag.]

Wade sensed the pure look of death White was emoting towards Yellow from inside his head, along with the sudden jolt of fear on Yellow's end. He never received such a feeling from his fellow box in all the years they had been stuck together in Wade's head.

"Do you like Mexican food?" Peter asked "I know this place that's close. It's pretty good."

( Is it made with real Mexicans? )

"That's not funny," Wade said with a grimace before glancing at the arachnid. "I do."

( Little bit funny.)

"Just no. Cannibalism isn't funny. We have enough problems already." Wade muttered quietly, ignoring the strange look his soulmate sent him.

Special thanks to Patron Jade for their pledge. Their support has brought to you this edited edition of Stopwatch. If you would like to see more of Stopwatch edited in the future, consider pledging $1 to my Patreon. Link in bio.

https://www.patreon.com/Narloch

(Originally published 2016, officially edited 2022)

Until next time
~ Shadow-Assassin

original note: So watcha think? Hope it's good. What do you guys want to see from this book? 

More anger?

Friendship

 Slow build?

 * sly look * Any. . . Special requests? Perhaps maybe-

Wade: Ass? Yes, I want Spidey ass. certainly yes. 

I wasn't asking you right now.

Wade: But as the awesome character I am I want to give a suggestion and that's my input. 

You'll get your time to shine. But first, let your fans choose.

Wade: Cause that went so well last time.

... 

Anyway, tell us what you guys want!